From 1 January 2010, modern awards cover most workplaces.
Transitional arrangements in most modern awards mean that some new pay rates commence on the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2010.
Important! This means that pay rates for many employees change on 1 July 2010.
Transitional arrangements in most modern awards give employers and employees time to adjust to the changes by allowing new pay rates to be phased in over a period of four years until the full modern award rates apply on 1 July 2014.
In this period pay rates need to be calculated with reference to the pre-modern award entitlement that used to cover, or would have covered, the employee before 1 January 2010 as well as the relevant modern award entitlement.
This guide will help you learn how to phase your pay rates under the new national workplace relations system. See more about the new workplace relations national system and the transitional arrangements that may apply.
To find your entitlements you need to:
If you already know your pre-modern award entitlement and modern award, you can skip straight to
Sections B and C.
Getting prepared
Throughout the guide you will need to answer a series of questions about the business where work is being performed and the job.
If you don’t know all the answers, you can still proceed. You may reach a point where you can’t go any further until you get the information.
Questions which you may need to answer include:
About the employee
- What state / territory is the employee working in?
- Is the employee a junior / trainee / apprentice?
- Whether the employee is full-time, part-time or casual
About the business
- Is the business a constitutional corporation? (this is generally a registered company and not a sole trader / partnership)
- Did the business employ people immediately before 27 March 2006?
- Did the business employ people immediately before 1 January 2010?
- Is there an agreement in place?
- What is the business name and address?
About the employer
- The name and address of the employer
- Any former names of the employer
- Is the business a member of an employer association?
- Has a transmission/transfer of business taken place?
About the job
- What type of work is being performed?
- Are there any required qualifications?
- Does an agreement apply?
If you encounter issues at any point in this guide, please contact the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94, Monday to Friday 8.00am to 6.00pm or 
Live Chat. Before calling, please read the key questions our Fair Work Infoline adviser may need to ask you.
Select Next to continue.